GREENFIELD, Ind. — A Greenfield mother is facing multiple charges in an alleged drunk driving crash where her infant daughter suffered a brain bleed.
According to court documents, a Hancock County sheriff's deputy responded to a report of a crash Sept. 16, 2023, around 2:30 a.m. in the 10000 block of East U.S. 40 in Charlottesville.
The deputy arrived and found a car that was flipped over. The driver was later identified as Megan Noel Baker, 27, of Greenfield.
A witness allegedly told deputies Baker's car went into the grassy center median, crashed into multiple road signs, crossed over two embankments before flipping and coming to a stop.
Court documents say the deputy spoke with the witness who was holding Baker's child, who was less than 1 year old. The infant was also in the car at the time of the crash.
According to court documents, the witness told the deputy that the infant's left arm wasn't moving, and the witness thought the infant might be injured.
Medics then took the infant to Riley Hospital for Children. The following day, a caseworker told the deputy that the infant suffered a brain bleed, also known as an intracranial hemorrhage, as a result of the crash.
Court documents say the caseworker confirmed to the deputy that the infant was released to her grandparents Sept. 17.
According to court documents, the deputy tried to speak with Baker, who had visible cuts and bruises from the crash, on the night of the crash. The deputy said Baker appeared drunk as she slurred her speech and had glassy eyes.
A sergeant allegedly said he could smell alcohol on Baker's breath and found three open containers of 99 Brand liquor shooters in Baker's purse.
The deputy said Baker refused to consent to a blood draw, so the deputy submitted a warrant request to take her blood at Hancock Regional Hospital.
Court documents say Baker's blood alcohol content was 0.183, which is more than twice the legal limit.
Data from inside Baker's car revealed she was going 97.6 mph at the time of the accident, where the posted speed limit is 50 mph.
Investigators said debris stretched more than 400 feet from where Baker's car first went off the road to where it flipped and stopped.
Prosecutors charged Baker with neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, reckless driving causing bodily injury and possession of marijuana.
Baker had her initial court hearing Dec. 22 in Hancock County. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2024.